I purchased this vehicle used with 55,000 miles on it and it will not start first try. I just turn it over a couple of times and wait a second and then try again and it starts. Was told by both dealer and garages that it was the fuel sensing unit and would be between 700-800$ repair. Also told me to wait until truck will not start at all to fix because it's the same repair and repair will only last as long as original equipment. I see this is a very common problem. I live next door to a chevy car salesman and he's had 2 trucks with the same problem. Just wondering if there is a recall or any efforts by the boys in Detroit to make this right. I now have 117000 miles and will be looking for a newer truck. I hear dodge makes a pretty good one.

I've ordered a fuel delivery system part to install myself, along with two dudes who will help lift the box off the truck's chassis. The quick, cheap & totally useless fix was to add a can of injector cleaner to a tank of gas once a month, trying to loosen up any varnish residue in the fuel pump/sending unit assembly. Didn't work. The fuel gauge doesn't have a clue how much gas is in the tank. Shorty after I fill the tank, it shows empty, then full for a short period, then empty...and to make matters worse, the gas gauge taunts me with the LOW FUEL idiot light when I just spent $80 bucks to fill it up. The problem began soon after nearly running out of gas. My theory is that whatever sludge or glob of varnish had settled to the bottom of the tank got sucked into the fuel pump, screwing up the float in the tank. When this malfunction first happened, I replaced the fuel filter, which didn't resolve the problem.

Here's my posting today to GM's website (contact us) form:

My 2000 Silverado pickup is experiencing a fuel sending failure that is very common on this vehicle, as well as other Chevrolet models. This is well documented on many websites, and owner discussions. I am requesting copies of recalls and service bulletins for the vehicle I own. Please email these documents to me in PDF format, or mail hardcopies to the address listed below. In addition, I'd like to speak to the area service representative for Chevrolet. Please have him/her call me M - F, 8am - 5pm EST. A prompt reply to these requests is appreciated. I am a loyal GM customer who will be replacing my 2000 Silverado with a new 4X4 truck for my general contracting business within the next 9 months.

When the vehicle has been setting for a while not running it will not start on the first few cranks. After 4 or 5 cranks it will start. It always continues to run after starting. There is a little whining noise from the fuel pump at times. I have tried gas treatment and that does not seem to help. I took the cover off the air filter and sprayed starting fluid into the intake and it started right then would die. But, again, after 4 or 5 cranks it starts every time. The next step is to take it in to a mechanic and have the fuel pump changed. I also have the fuel gauge issue that the gauge will go from empty to full sporadically when you first fill the tank. I have reported this in another complaint.